‘Sonic' video games coming to Nintendo

Sega says it will exclusively release the next three games starring the iconic blue critter Sonic the Hedgehog on Nintendo platforms. (The Associated Press/Sega)

The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 5:32 p.m.

Sonic the Hedgehog is rolling with Nintendo.

Sega says it will exclusively release the next three games starring the popular blue critter on Nintendo platforms.

The first title will be called “Sonic Lost World” and is set for release on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS later this year.

“With ‘Sonic Lost World,' we're going to introduce new gameplay and enemies, which is always fun,” said John Cheng, president and chief financial officer of Sega of America Inc. “In terms of Sonic and his friends, he'll have his same friends there, and I think there'll be some new ones as well. It's not a reiteration. It's going to be all new.”

The original fast-paced side-scrolling “Sonic the Hedgehog” debuted in 1991.

The twirling, ring-hoarding hedgehog became Sega's mascot and a video-game icon rivaling the likes of Mario and Pac-Man.

While his recent interactive exploits haven't achieved the same level of success as previous “Sonic” outings, the character has remained a presence in pop culture, appearing in cartoons, downloadable games and the Disney film “Wreck-It Ralph.”

Sonic has competed against Nintendo's mustachioed spokesman Mario since 2007 in the “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” mini-game series.

Cheng said the characters would be back for more match-ups in “Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.”

Over the past 22 years, Sonic and his friends have starred in dozens of games, including